Battery operated lamp

ABSTRACT

This is a battery operated warning lamp, most particularly applicable to highways and the like, as an emergency or cautionary signal device, particularly characterized by the use of two lenses and a flashing lamp so arranged as to signal in two directions simultaneously and so disposed that the lamp may be seen from a long distance, yet will not unduly distract persons in close proximity thereto.

United States Patent [1 1 Olsen Dec. 24, 1974 I 41 BATTERY OPERATED LAMP [76] Inventor: Leslie E. Olsen, 1894 Locust St.,

4 Reno, Nev. 89502 [22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1973 [2]] Appl. No; 394,974

[52] U.S. Cl 240/l0.63,240/l0,66, 240/l0.69

[51] Int. Cl. F2ll 11/00 [58] Field of Search 240/l0.63, 10.66, 10.6, 240/10.69

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,458,665 6/1923 Stewart 240/10.63 1,461,540 7/1923 Mee 240/l0.63

2,344,175 3/1944 Shannon 240/l0.63 2,849,596 8/1958 McDermott 240/l0.63 3,535,506 10/1970 Moore 240/l0.63

Primary ExaminerMonroe H. Hayes [5 7 ABSTRACT This is a battery operated warning lamp, most particularly applicable to highways and the like, as an emergency or cautionary signal device, particularly charac terized by the use of two lenses and a flashing lamp so arranged as to signal in two directions simultaneously and so disposed that the lampmay be seen from a long distance, yet will not unduly distract persons in close proximity thereto.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Bronson 240/ l 0.63

PATENTED M 3.857. 028

SHEET 2 OF 3 BATTERY OPERATED LAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the general field of lamps and flares and more particularly is directed to an electric lamp or flare for use on roadways and the like as a device to signal, or give warning of 'unusual conditions.

2. Description of the Prior Art There is a great variety of prior art in this general field. There are, for example, roadway flares which may be ignited and placed upon the road to warn of a condition existing; there are some battery operated lamps having a top mounted light source which can stand upon a roadway; there are some side-mounted lighting lenses such as strobe lights, and the like. All of this prior art is in the general field. There is no prior art, however, in a device as specificallyshown in this invention having two relatively directional flashing light sources utilizing a low drain lamp bulb, which can be utilized on barricades, under flooding conditions, and the like as it is hereinafter described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The use of flares and other signaling devices on highways and the like is widespread, and with increased numbers of roadways and vehicles, increasing numbers of emergency or other unusual conditions are occurring. It is very customary to see flares or other signaling devices utilized along highways, beside loading areas, and the like. The most commonly useddevice is the highway flare which is ignited by striking upon the highway surface, after which such flare burns with a visible flame, or glow,'for a relatively long period of time enabling many emergency conditions or the like to be cleared before it loses its effectiveness as a warnll'l Such flares have the unfortunate limitations that (1) they do have a limited life, and more importantly, (2) if gasoline or the like is spilled in the area serious fires can occur.

- For manyaccidents of other emergency situations, particularly. where fuel carrying trucks or the like may be involved, the flare of the type just described is absolutely prohibited. In such cases, it is customary for persons to use flashlights, special lanterns having a top mounted bulb, strobe lights, reflective warning devices, and the like. Each of these devices has limitations. Some of them, such as strobe lights, require unusual power conditions or have relatively short life; some of them, such as a latern with a top lamp, are annoying or distracting at close range; some of them are visible from one direction only; some of them are susceptible to malfunction under flooding or rain conditions; and the like.

I have made an extensivestudy of this situation and have invented and developed a very satisfactory highway warning device having none of the limitations nor disadvantages previously discussed.

I have developed an emergency lamp which comprises a power source, such as a battery or a group of batteries enclosed in a container comprising the base of the unit, which container is so arranged that the lamp may stand in several inches of water with no danger of malfunction. Mounted above this base is a tubular element containing a lamp, which lamp has associatedtherewith means to cause the same to flash intermittently. v

At opposed ends of the tubular lamp containing element I have provided appropriately colored lenses positioned at proper focal length, for appropriate magnification and directional control of the light eminating from the lamp bulb. I have provided means of attaching the lenses such that moisture, if any should occur, will drain from the tubular lamp containing element, and will not cause shorting, or malfunction.

I have provided a handle for this device, which handle is suitable for carrying by hand, is suitable for hanging appropriately from road barricades and the like. and which is provided with means for side mounting.

It is an object of this invention to provide a battery operated roadside warning lamp.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a warning light which will operate under rain and flood conditions.

Another object of this invention is toprovide such a lamp which can be seen from a long distance, but which is not offensive or unduly distracting at a close range.

Another object is to provide such a device which may be attached to a road barricade.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the appended drawings. 7

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front side elevation of the same embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the same embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

.FIG. 4 is a section on 4,-4 of FIG. 3; i

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial section on 55 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in'FIG. l.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An examination of the drawings reveals that a preferred embodiment of. this device comprises a tubular base 10, tubular lamp containing element 30, end

lenses 50 and 51, and handle 32. The base 10 has two holes near its lower end accommodating a bolt or the like 12 which is held in place by nut 13, preferably of the type having a rubber or other locking arrangement making it necessary to use a wrench for removal; this avoids the danger of tampering by children or other persons. Such lock nut arrangement is known to those contacts formed of a spring-like material as is known by those skilled in the art, and thus easily adapts itself to a simple contact when held under pressure by the bolt 12 against its lower end. The electrical contacts will be described in more detail subsequently.

The lamp containing element 30 comprises a tube of plastic or other suitable material, in the case of this particular embodiment this is identical to the tubular item previously described for the base 10.

The tube 30 is fastened to a plastic disc 20, or the like, by use of epoxy or other adhesive 31. The disc 20 isof a diameter tofit within the top of the base 10. It is then fastened in place by the screws 14 and I asindicated. The disc carries a ring 28 on its underside as indicated, which ring is fastened by bolts 26 and 27 extending through the disc and the tubular elements 30 in the manner shown in FIG. 4.

' The contact ring is of particular importance and is constructed in the manner which shows particularly well in-FIG. 6. The contact ring 28 will be seen to have two lands, or plains of thickness. It will be noted that the holes for both 26 and 27 are drilled slightly within the center of the two lands of elevation so that their heads will not protrude upwardly and interfere with the appropriate contact of the contact elements 23 and 24 of battery 22. This will be explained in further detail below.

The center contact comprises a bolt or the like 25 having a washer as indicated if desired to increase the sizeof the contact. The bolts 25 and 26 are used to provide the connecting point to the wires connecting the lamp socket elements for contact to the battery contacts. The wires are shown to be connected at I points 70 and 72 by customary connectors and appropriate nuts as are known in the art and from thence to the two contact elements of the lamp socket 40. The particular lamp socket has an attached switch 42 which mounts in the manner shown particularly well in FIG.

5. The detail of mountingin this manner is known to those skilled in the electrical arts and does not need further explanation. The lamp bulb used is a low drain 6 volt lamp bulb as indicated by numberal 43 and as is known by those skilled in the art. I

The particular lamp bulb utilized is known in the r 4 trade and incorporates a flasher unit which causes in- .tal activation when the lamp is being transported, since being in this recessed area it is protected against normal mishandling activations.

The bulb 43 is located in a position such that it is directly centered in the tube 30 and is at the correct distance from each of the lenses 50 and 51 such that the exact focal point of the lenses with relation to the distance from the lamp is such as to provide maximum distance visability of this lamp. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the location of the lenses 50 and 51 may be so arranged as to provide for the appropriate utilizaton of the focal length of the particular lens being used.

The lenses are normally red in color, but may be a different color, and they are attached in each case to discs 52.and 53 respectively by bolts 54 and 55 and 56 and 57 respectively. The reason for this particular arrangement is to provide for ease of replacement of the lamps as well as to avoid distortion of the lenses in.

mounting. The lens plates 52 and 53 are held in position by screws as shown particularly by 61 and 63 in FIG. 3. On the other end there are twoscrews, only one of which is revealed in the drawings due to the nature of the views shown.

The screws which fasten the discs 52 and 53 within the tube fasten them in such manner that there is a small gap left at the lower portion as indicated particularly well in the sectional drawing in FIG. 4. The reasoning for this arrangement is that if any moisture should for any reason accumulate within the tube 30 it will drain'through this area so created and thus avoid difficulties within the lamp area' itself.

I have used for both the lenses and the discs which hold them cast polyester resin materials. This material is superior to the 'use of glass, or the like, since it is much more difficult to break and thus will withstand shocks in handling and the like to a much greater extent.

While it has not been shown in the drawings, in order not to distort or obscure the drawings, the entire areas 70, 72, 73, and the switch mounting area have been covered with a clear siliconematerial in order further to protect against any possible moisture problem.

The handle 32has been provided with holes 37 and 38 such that a bolt 36 with awing nut 35 may be used on either'side of thedevice in order for fastening to a barricade or the like. The handle is pivotally mounted by the use of rivets 33 and 34 as indicated particularly well in FIG. 5.

In the event any corrosion or the like should ever take place on the electrical contacts between the battery and the contact ring and center contact, merely placing the battery in position and turning it rapidly a few times will polish both the battery contacts and the unit contacts to insure good electrical c'ontactivity. As previously observed it will be noted that the ring is a two step ring so that the bolts holding the same are flush and do not interfere with proper battery contact at any position around the ring.

The fact that the popularly obtainable lantern batteries are waterproof in themselves allows the flare to stand in water up to a substantial height and just short of the spring-battery contacts. It further willbe observed that additional space is provided by the additional length beneath the end of the battery. It will be seen that several inches of water would be required before a danger of interrupting the usage of the lamp would occur. Even then, utilizing this construction with its safeguards against the accumulation of moisture, the lamp could be placed upon a platform or the like for further utility. I

While the embodiment of this invention shown and described is fullycapable of achieving the objects and advantages desired, it is to be understood that this embodiment has been so illustrated and described solely for illustrative purposes, and not for purposes of limitation.

I claim:

1. A roadway signaling device comprising: A tubular base having one end open and one end closed; A battery located within said base; Means cooperative with said base and said battery suspending said battery at a distance from the open end of said base; A circular battery terminal contact ring having-two planes, a first plane being elevated with reference to a second plane, wherein said ring may be mounted against the base by the use of screws or the like in said second plane, which contacts said inner side of the closed end of said base, and in which the first plane extends at a distance from said mounting screws or the like toward the open end of said base, so that a battery terminal may contact said first plane of the ring without directly contacting said screws; Screws or the like mounting said ring to the said inner side of the closed end of said base, in such manner that one of the terminals of said battery is in contact with said ring; Tubular lamp and lense holding means fastened flush against the outer surface of said closed end of said tubular base, in immediate relationship to battery terminal contact within said base, in such manner that mounting screws extending from the interior of said base to said lamp and lense holding means perform the added function of holding a lamp within said lamp and lense holding means and providing electrical contact to said lamp; And lense means mounted in each end of said lamp and lense holding means in such manner that a portion of said lense slides within said lamp and lense holding means and is held in position by screws providing for lateral adjustment of the location of each lense as well as providing for distortion of the said lamp and lense holding means to allow drainage of moisture from within said lamp and lense holding means to without the same.

2. The deviceof claim 1 in which handle means are provided cooperatively attached to said lamp and lense holding means and means are provided cooperative with said handle means to removably fasten same to other objects.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the battery terminal contact means comprise the said two plane circular contact ring concentrically mounted about one center battery terminal contact so as to provide contact to a battery having one center terminal and one off-center terminal regardless of what position said battery may be placed within the unit, and in which the said battery may be rotated so as to clean the said ring and terminal.

4. A roadside signaling device comprising: A tubular base being open at one end and closed at the other end;

base; Lense means within each end of said lamp hold- I ing means; Depressably activated switch means radially mounted to said lamp holding means at an angular projection thereto toward said base, in such manner as to be protected by the said base from accidental activation; Lamp means mounted within said lamp holding means; Electrical contact elements within said base; Battery means within said base contacting said electrical contact elements; Means connecting said electrical contact elements with said switch and said lamp; Handle means cooperatively mounted to said device; Means cooperative with said handle means to removably attach said signaling device to another object; And lense holding means comprising screws through said lamp holding means in friction contact with each lense in such manner as to provide for lateral adjustment of said lenses and for deformation of said lamp holding element.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the lense holding screws are located in the lower portion of said lamp holding element in such manner that upon deformation, drainage means areprovided for moisture which might accumulate within the lamp holding means to drain out beneath the lenses.

6. The device of claim 5 in which the said lense means may be adjusted laterally so as to adjust the focal length distance from the bulb means wherein inaccuraand beneath the battery means under slight deformation so as to provide pressure against the battery contact means. 

1. A roadway signaling device comprising: A tubular base having one end open and one end closed; A battery located within said base; Means cooperative with said base and said battery suspending said battery at a distance from the open end of said base; A circular battery terminal contact ring having two planes, a first plane being elevated with reference to a second plane, wherein said ring may be mounted against the base by the use of screws or the like in said second plane, which contacts said inner side of the closed end of said base, and in which the first plane extends at a distance from said mounting screws or the like toward the open end of said base, so that a battery terminal may contact said first plane of the ring without directly contacting said screws; Screws or the like mounting said ring to the said inner side of the closed end of said base, in such manner that one of the terminals of said battery is in contact with said ring; Tubular lamp and lense holding means fastened flush against the outer surface of said closed end of said tubular base, in immediate relationship to battery terminal contact within said base, in such manner that mounting screws extending from the interior of said base to said lamp and lense holding means perform the added function of holding a lamp within said lamp and lense holding means and providing electrical contact to said lamp; And lense means mounted in each end of said lamp and lense holding means in such manner that a portion of said lense slides within said lamp and lense holding means and is held in position by screws providing for lateral adjustment of the location of each lense as well as providing for distortion of the said lamp and lense holding means to allow drainage of moisture from within said lamp and lense holding means to without the same.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which handle means are provided cooperatively attached to said lamp and lense holding means and means are provided cooperative with said handle means to removably fasten same to other objects.
 3. The device of claim 1 in which the battery termInal contact means comprise the said two plane circular contact ring concentrically mounted about one center battery terminal contact so as to provide contact to a battery having one center terminal and one off-center terminal regardless of what position said battery may be placed within the unit, and in which the said battery may be rotated so as to clean the said ring and terminal.
 4. A roadside signaling device comprising: A tubular base being open at one end and closed at the other end; Open ended tubular lamp holding means attached perpendicular to, and flush upon the closed end of said base; Lense means within each end of said lamp holding means; Depressably activated switch means radially mounted to said lamp holding means at an angular projection thereto toward said base, in such manner as to be protected by the said base from accidental activation; Lamp means mounted within said lamp holding means; Electrical contact elements within said base; Battery means within said base contacting said electrical contact elements; Means connecting said electrical contact elements with said switch and said lamp; Handle means cooperatively mounted to said device; Means cooperative with said handle means to removably attach said signaling device to another object; And lense holding means comprising screws through said lamp holding means in friction contact with each lense in such manner as to provide for lateral adjustment of said lenses and for deformation of said lamp holding element.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the lense holding screws are located in the lower portion of said lamp holding element in such manner that upon deformation, drainage means are provided for moisture which might accumulate within the lamp holding means to drain out beneath the lenses.
 6. The device of claim 5 in which the said lense means may be adjusted laterally so as to adjust the focal length distance from the bulb means wherein inaccuracies in focal length of the lense, or manufactured dimensions of the lamp holding element may be compensated for.
 7. The device of claim 4 in which the battery means is held in contact with the contact means by a bolt passing through holes in opposite sides of the base means and beneath the battery means under slight deformation so as to provide pressure against the battery contact means. 